Saudi King to Provide $37B in Benefits to People

Saudi King Abdullah has ordered his government to provide benefits to the Saudi people worth some $37 billion, according to Reuters. The King, who had been convalescing in Morocco after back surgery in New York in November, is providing the benefits in an apparent effort to insulate the world’s top oil exporter from an Arab protest wave. Saudi state media announced the $37 billion action plan that includes pay rises to offset inflation, unemployment benefits and affordable family housing.